Brunswick County files lawsuit against contractor over new water filters

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Brunswick County has filed a lawsuit against a contractor for failing to install new filters at a water treatment plant. 

The county filed suit against Oscar Renda Contracting, Inc for failing to deliver on a $122 million contract to install reverse osmosis filters at the Northwest Water Treatment Plant. 

The filters, along with an expansion at the facility, were aimed at removing PFAS compounds from the water supply.  

That contract was originally set for completion in December 2023, but the lawsuit alleges the contractor has yet to deliver results. 

WWAY reached out to the county for comment. A spokesperson sent us the following statement: 

“Brunswick County is committed to making sure the expansion and reverse osmosis project at the Northwest Water Treatment Plant is completed exactly as planned and designed. This action was necessary to protect the best interests of our residents who have waited far too long for a solution to removing PFAS from our drinking water. 

Brunswick County is actively exploring the best legal methods to find a new construction contractor to continue the project as quickly and realistically as possible. We will provide an update to our community as soon as more details are available.    

Because of this pending litigation, we are unable to provide additional details or comments on these legal matters.” 

In the meantime, the county has entered into a $1 million agreement with CDN, Inc to take over the project while the county looks for a new contractor. The county says that agreement won’t result in higher rates for customers.